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Denver Broncos make big splash on first day of free agency

True story. On Monday afternoon, exactly 24 hours before the opening of NFL free agency, the Broncos had a Brinks truck back up into their parking lot.

The sign was there, parked perfectly between the lines at the team's Dove Valley headquarters. It was actually an armored Loomis company truck driven by a security guard armed with holster and satchel. But you get the point.

When free agency opened Tuesday, few teams were more eager to spend new money than the Broncos. For starters, the Broncos agreed in principle with Louis Vasquez, a right guard from the rival San Diego Chargers, on a four-year, $23.5 million contract that guarantees his first two season payout of $13 million.

San Diego Chargers' third round draft choice, Louis Vasquez, from Texas Tech, pulls on his glove as he prepares for his first workout at the football minicamp in San Diego, Friday, May 1, 2009. (The Denver Post | Lenny Ignelzi)

Take that, Mike McCoy. He never got a chance to coach Vasquez. McCoy was the Broncos' offensive coordinator the past four years and he's the Chargers' head coach now.

"I wanted to be happy were I'm at," Vasquez said by phone Tuesday. "The location, the team I was going to play for — Denver's a great team and then you throw (quarterback) Peyton Manning in there and it's that much better. And then I was happy with the deal. I think it's going to be a great place for me."

The Broncos then re-signed their own defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson to a two-year contract expected to be worth between $4 million and $5 million. Vasquez said he prefers to play at 335 pounds and Vickerson played last season for the Broncos at 330 pounds.

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When throwing around money, the Broncos put some weight behind it. The Broncos also set up visits with former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall, Jacksonville defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, Philadelphia cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Arizona middle linebacker/special-teamer Stewart Bradley.

The team is also interested in Detroit safety Louis Delmas, but did not have a visit set up as of Tuesday night.

Actually, the Broncos didn't put a major dent into the Loomis truck. In balancing their potential spending spree on new players is their pay-cut request to defensive end Elvis Dumervil and release Monday of linebacker D.J. Williams and his $6 million salary.

Vasquez might wind up the team's biggest ticket item, in every sense of the word. Mendenhall is a terrific talent, but after a forgettable final season in Pittsburgh, he's willing to accept a one-year, make-good contract. He will also visit Arizona and Bruce Arians, the Cardinals' new head coach and the Steelers' former offensive coordinator.

The Cardinals have a notoriously bad offensive line and quarterback situation, so only a significant difference in contract offers figures to halt the Broncos from getting their new starting tailback.

Mendenhall is 225 pounds, the larger-sized back the Broncos would prefer as a complement to the smaller Knowshon Moreno and Ronnie Hillman. Imagine Mendenhall barreling behind a double-team block of the 335-pound Vasquez and 330-pound right tackle Orlando Franklin.

"Us playing next to each other, I think it will make us that much better," Vasquez said.

On the other side of the Broncos' line of scrimmage, it's possible Vickerson may team with Knighton to form a 660-pound interior wall. The 2013 Broncos aren't loading for Bear. They're loading for Giants, Colts, Chiefs, Cowboys, Redskins and anybody else on this season's schedule.

Even Bradley, at 259 pounds, is large as 4-3 middle linebackers go, and Rodgers-Cromartie is tall by cornerback standards at 6-foot-2.

Bradley was a two-year bust in Arizona's 3-4 scheme, but he was a starting middle linebacker in 2008 and 2010 for the Philadelphia Eagles, who then used a 4-3 system. Although the Broncos will give third-year player Nate Irving the chance to win the starting middle linebacker position, the NFL doesn't make a practice of handing a player something without competition.

Rodgers-Cromartie would become the Broncos' starting right cornerback if an agreement can be reached. He started his first three seasons in Arizona but became a bit lost in Philadelphia's overcrowded, overpaid secondary the past two years.

In summary, the Broncos attacked the first day of free agency as if they had their eye on the 2013 season's final day of competitive play. That would be Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 2, 2014, in the New Jersey Meadowlands Stadium.

Or a little less than 11 months from when the Broncos backed up the Loomis truck at Dove Valley.

The Broncos were arguably the most aggressive team on the opening day of free agency Tuesday. They reached an agreement in principle with offensive guard Louis Vasquez and have visits set up with four players. NFL reporter Mike Klis analyzes:

OG Louis Vasquez, 6-foot-5, 335 pounds, 25 years old, ChargersStats: Started 54-of-64 games in four seasons with Chargers.Comment: Terrific run blocker who was considered the No. 2 free-agent guard, behind Andy Levitre.

RB Rashard Mendenhall, 5-10, 225, 25, SteelersStats: Averaged 1,103 yards rushing from 2009-11 but had only 182 last season as he came off torn ACL.Comments: Big upside, especially if Broncos get him on a one-year contract. But there are character, fumble and health concerns.

CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, 6-2, 182, 26, EaglesStats: Played in 77-of-80 games in his five-year career. Has 16 career interceptions, but only three in his two seasons with Philly.Comment: A taller corner that Broncos boss John Elway is seeking. The No. 16 overall pick in 2008 draft by Arizona.

DT Terrance Knighton, 6-3, 330, 26, JaguarsStats: Played in 61-of-64 games. Had 79 tackles, 5½ sacks in his first two seasons, but only 51 and two in past two seasons.Comments: Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio was Jags' head coach in 2009 when they drafted Knighton from Temple in the third round.

MLB Stewart Bradley, 6-4, 258, 29, CardinalsStats: Just one start in 32 games the past two seasons in Arizona as he couldn't beat out Paris Lenon in 3-4.Comment: Starting MLB for Philly, he signed five-year, $30 million deal with Cards to play only special teams. Would compete with Nate Irving at MLB.

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